Bihar

• 15 Nov 2024

150th Birth Anniversary of Birsa Munda

Why in News?

Recently, the Prime Minister launched a commemorative stamp and coin to mark the 150^th birth anniversary of tribal icon and freedom fighter Birsa Munda in Bihar’s Jamui district.

Key Points

• Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas Celebration:
  • The Centre declared November 15, Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary, as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas in 2021.
  • The 2024 event also initiates year-long celebrations for the 150^th anniversary of Birsa Munda’s birth.
• Various Projects and Initiatives:
  • The Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation for various tribal welfare projects totaling over Rs 6,640 crore.
  • The PM also inaugurated two tribal freedom fighter museums and tribal research institutes.
  • Foundation stones were laid for 1.16 lakh homes under the Dharti Aba Janjati Gram Utkarsh Yojana and 25,000 homes under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) scheme for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
  • Approximately 50 mobile medical units were launched to improve healthcare in tribal regions.
  • 10 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) for tribal students, including hostels across the country were inaugurated.
  • The government has enhanced tribal education through EMRSs, scholarships, and other educational opportunities.
• Exhibition Honoring Tribal Legacy:
  • The PM engaged with beneficiaries of welfare schemes and visited an exhibition honoring the legacy of Birsa Munda and other tribal freedom fighters.
  • The exhibition includes artwork from EMRS students and literature on the life and struggles of Birsa Munda, as well as displays highlighting tribal history and achievements.

Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan

• Originally named the PM Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PM-JUGA), is an umbrella scheme to implement existing schemes across 63,000 Scheduled Tribe-majority villages.
  • Dharti Aaba refers to Birsa Munda, a 19^th-century tribal leader and anti-colonial icon from Jharkhand.
• The initiative aims to address critical gaps in social infrastructure, health, education, and livelihood through 25 interventions implemented by various 17 Ministries and Departments of the Government of India.

Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN)

• PM-JANMAN was launched on 15^th November 2023, to improve the socio-economic welfare of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
• It is implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, in collaboration with the State governments and the PVTGs communities.
  • It encompasses various sectors, including safe housing under the PM-Awas Scheme, access to clean drinking water, improved healthcare, education, nutrition, road and telecommunications connectivity, as well as opportunities for sustainable livelihoods.
• The plan also includes the establishment of Van Dhan Vikas Kendras for trading in forest produce, off-grid solar power systems for 1 lakh households, and solar street lights.
• The scheme is expected to enhance the quality of life and well-being of the PVTGs, by addressing their multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination and exclusion, and by recognizing and valuing their unique and valuable contribution to national and global development.